The LightSnake USB Intelligent Microphone Cable is simply a cable that has an XLR connector on one side and a USB connector on the other side. The two connectors allow you to plug into a microphone on one end and plug into a computer on the other. The LightSnake Microphone Cable features embedded A/D chip technology, which boosts the audio signal so you don’t need a microphone preamp.
The cable is a great tool for artists and engineers who don’t own a mixer, Mbox2 or are simply out of inputs. However, you’ll likely lose sound quality in the process. This isn’t such a big problem when you’re using a standard vocal microphone like a SM57 or SM58, but when you move onto condensers, cardioids, ribbons and other high end microphones, you won’t want to do anything directly into your computer because of the sound quality.
LightSnake USB Intelligent Microphone Cable also features the “Live and lit” feature, which simply means that both ends of the cable will light up when the cable is plugged in correctly. You won’t need any drivers for the cable either. For home musicians using Logic Pro Audio 7, Garage Band, Cubase and/or Acid, the LightSnake may very well be a viable option over an expensive mixer or a 2-input Mbox2.
SoundTech Announces LightSnake USB Intelligent Microphone Cable [product page]